Hey guys, please excuse my ignorance regarding civics. I had a 2002 civic dx like 3 years ago; I never had problems with it, so I never learned much about it. My girlfriend on the other hand is having some issues with her 1992 dx hatchback. She informed me that she was driving today and her RPMs where jumping to 5000 just by tapping the gas petal in every gear. Her idle RPMs were very low (under 500 she says). I was hoping someone could give me some insight. I haven't actually witnessed the problem myself ( this just happened and I'm at work ) so I don't really know exactly what is happening yet but that is what she says happened. Please help

 

More info is really needed but my guess is it needs a new clutch.

 

I agree. Sounds like the clutch is slipping.

 

Thank you for the quick replys. The only other info I know at this point is that when that all happened she pulled over and turned the car off let it sit for a few minutes. When she turned the car back on she said that is did it again a few times and then just started running normal again. I haven't driven it yet, but I have seen it and turned it on. Seems to be idling normal and I don't hear anything out of the ordinary. I tapped the gas in neutral and it seems ok. When I get a chance to drive it I will have more info. My friend said the same thing about the clutch. Thanks for the help. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Another question is, will it survive a 45 minute drive?

 

If it is a worn out clutch, you need to be very careful not to let it slip (where the engine revs up but the car doesn't go faster). If you are careful on the gas you could theoretically go a very long way on the highway. Every time you use the clutch or let it slip, it wears out more until at some point the car will not go at all.